for the kids

Gansler: 17-Year-Olds Should Vote in Maryland Primary

Looks like young K’s first important vote could take place on February 12 in the Maryland presidential primary, assuming, of course, that she registers to vote (I am guessing K comes in a bit high on the procrastination scale). Now, if Maryland would let unaffiliated (Independent) voters vote in the primary, DailyDad would also be able to exercise his civic duty. According the ever helpful Maryland State Board of Elections web site, unregistered voters (like K) have until January 22 to register to vote in the February 12 primary, but already registered, but unaffiliated voters (like DailyDad), must have changed their affiliation by November 19 in order to vote in the primary. One would have had to be a 0 on the procrastination scale to have made that early date.

WASHINGTON – Seventeen-year-olds will be able to vote in Maryland’s Feb. 12 presidential primary.

An opinion Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler issued will require the Maryland State Board of Elections to continue registering 17-year-olds to vote if they are 18 by the time of the General Election.

“Freedom of association in the federal Constitution trumps any state interest in not allowing 17-year-olds to vote; therefore, anybody who is 17 and will be 18 and eligible to vote in the general election can now vote again,” Gansler tells WTOP.